Repositioning family planning in Rwanda: How a taboo topic became priority number one.

Abstract

In less than 10 years Rwanda increased contraceptive use at one of the most rapid rates worldwide. statistics clearly demonstrate the rapid acceleration: 1992 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) found that 13 percent of married women were using modern contraceptive methods. Following the 1994 genocide modern method use dropped to only four percent (DHS 2000) and increased gradually to 10 percent by 2005. Less than three years later in early 2008 this rate nearly tripled reaching 27 percent. This rapid progress was achieved in spite of daunting challenges the country faced in rebuilding its health system after the period of genocide. At the time Rwanda also faced tremendous social and cultural barriers that inhibited the expansion of voluntary family planning programs. The government was shy to talk about family planning because so many families had lost loved ones explained one donor. culture had always been strongly pronatalist and the Catholic Church was a vocal critic and barrier to using modern methods of family planning. A firm commitment from the Kagame Government to expand access to voluntary family planning services led to improvements in the supply and quality of services in the country. Family planning gained recognition among the Rwandan people as an essential element of a successful development strategy in one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. With 355 people per square kilometer there is no spare meter where you wont meet a person noted one donor. Family planning was also recognized as essential to reducing the high levels of infant and maternal mortality both of which had increased post genocide. (Excerpts)